VALEDICTORY.

Evening Star, Issue 11099, 27 November 1899, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

Ner«r within the recoHect»n< of ?"the oMwfc inhabitant has there been such*? gathering of oid and young as that which assembled at the Pins Hill Scnocdhouse on Fridaynight to good-bye to Mr and Mrs • Landreth. Long before the appointed hoar the schoolivoni was iilled witli the little folk, and by tie time the performance commenced there' was not standing room. The Mayor of. North-east Valley occupied the chair, and in a few appropriate remarks informed the meeting that they had been called together for the purpose of saying farewell to their head-teacher, who had been promoted to Waitati. The loss of Pino Hill was the good folk of Waitati's gain, and, although they were sorry to lose Mr and Mrs Landreth's services, yet tbey all rejoiced at their well-deserved promotion.—(Applause.) Tho social was then commenced uy Mr M'Peak, who sang ' Sons of the Sea' acceptably, followed by ' Rothesay Bay,' by Mrs S. G. Smith, and a recitation, ' The Arab Steed,' by Mr Mills (encored). Miss Oliver and Mr Black contributed a duet, and Mr Duncan M'Gregor 'Half-past ten.' Mr Thomas Murphy sang ' The Bay of Biscay,' while the comic element wris supplied by Mr Fotterhill (encored). The chairman then called upon Mr S. G, Smith to mako a psesentation to Mr Landreth of a silver-mounted walking stick, suitably engraved, from the Pine Hill School Committee,, and some solid silver articles to Mr and Mrs Landreth from the scholars. In making the prestation Mr Smith said that he had been called upon to perform a very pleasing duty, although his feelings were mingled with pleasure and regret—pleasure, because he knew that Mr and Mrs Landreth were moving a step higher in their profession, and were going to well-deserved financial promotion ; and regret, because tl>ey were losing an excellent teacher and dear friend. He had only known them for a few years, but those brief years had been very happy ones. Mr Landreth came to them a .single man; now he was married, a happy father, and enjoying all the blessings which a loving helpmate can bring. He hoped that the walking stick which he now handed to him would long remind him of the good friends he had parted iti'oni at Pine Hill.

Mr Landreth thanked the Committee and the children for their presents and the many kindnesses he had received since lie came to the district.—(Loud applause.) Tho concert was again resumed, and the singing of Misses Charming and Rowley, Mrs Westhead, and Mr Paton "was much appreciated. Tho musical portion r£ the entertainment was brought to a close by tho cudienco joining in the National Anthem and" ' Auld lang syne.' The room was then cleared for dancing, and the ladies of tire district lavishly supplied refreshments.